All good issues should come to an finish, proper?
Along with his arrival in Kansas Metropolis in 2013, Andy Reid created a juggernaut. His 161 wins (together with postseason) since then are essentially the most by any head coach within the league. He is led the Chiefs to a few Tremendous Bowl victories, and Kansas Metropolis has completely owned the AFC West, profitable 9 straight division titles. Solely the New England Patriots have an extended division title streak, with 11 consecutive within the AFC East from 2009 to 2019.
Nonetheless, the Chiefs’ embarrassing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl LIX might be the Achilles’ heel the remainder of the AFC West has been searching for. The Eagles created relentless strain on Patrick Mahomes utilizing simply 4 rushers and enjoying sticky protection within the again finish defensively, racing out to a 24-0 halftime lead en path to a 40-22 blowout victory.
Is {that a} harbinger of issues to return for Kansas Metropolis? Listed here are 4 causes the Chiefs are primed for a regression, leaving the AFC West up for grabs.
An growing older core
The Chiefs had the fourth-youngest roster within the league after closing roster cuts final yr, however a few of their foundational contributors are getting up there in years. Future Corridor of Fame tight finish Travis Kelce, who introduced he plans to return for an additional season, turns 36 in October. The crew’s finest participant on protection, inside cross rusher Chris Jones, turns 31 in July. Operating again Kareem Hunt, whom the Chiefs introduced again early final season, turns 30 in August.
Even Mahomes hits 30 in September, although he actually nonetheless seems to have loads of elite play in his future. And Kansas Metropolis GM Brett Veach has achieved a wonderful job of bringing in and retaining stable younger gamers like linebacker Nick Bolton and offensive guard Trey Smith.
Nonetheless, like we have seen with the San Francisco 49ers not too long ago, the manufacturing of the Chiefs’ growing older gamers will proceed to fade. Even Mahomes confirmed that he is mortal within the loss to Eagles, getting sacked six instances and throwing two interceptions.
Offensive line a query mark
Can we actually belief that Kansas Metropolis’s offseason enhancements will result in a greater displaying than within the Tremendous Bowl? Understand that the Chiefs simply traded one in every of their finest items up entrance, four-time All-Professional left guard Joe Thuney, to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round decide.
Thuney, 32, introduced versatility to the offensive line, though he struggled enjoying out of place at left sort out within the Tremendous Bowl. The Chiefs signed Trent Williams‘ backup Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal to guard Mahomes’ blindside, a big wager on his potential to develop into the place. The Chiefs additionally positioned the franchise tag on Smith, who pairs with All-Professional middle Creed Humphrey to anchor the inside of the offensive line.
Nonetheless, Kansas Metropolis wants developmental prospects like Kingsley Suamataia, Hunter Nourzad and Mike Caliendo, together with potential additions within the 2025 draft, to point out promise for the offensive line overhaul to work.
Nick Wright reacts to Chiefs buying and selling All-Professional G Joe Thuney
The Chiefs cannot preserve profitable one-score video games, can they?
Kansas Metropolis completed 11-0 in one-score video games final season on its solution to a 15-2 marketing campaign, taking the highest seed within the AFC. Though Mahomes is without doubt one of the finest closers in league historical past, it is unlikely the Chiefs can repeat that success in 2025.
Actually there are some upsides for Kansas Metropolis. The return of receiver Rashee Rice from a season-ending knee damage, together with bringing again Hollywood Brown in free company and Xavier Worthy having a yr of improvement beneath his belt ought to result in higher manufacturing within the passing sport. On the opposite aspect of the ball, the Chiefs will proceed to have one of many prime defenses within the league beneath the course of guru Steve Spagnuolo.
Nonetheless, a regression to the imply in one-score video games must be the expectation in 2025, which implies fewer wins in the course of the common season for the Chiefs — and a decrease seed within the postseason.
The remainder of the AFC West has improved
Kansas Metropolis is 56-16 within the division since Reid took over in 2013, profitable no less than 5 out of six video games within the AFC West in eight of his 12 years with the Chiefs.
However the days of sleepwalking to a division championship are over.
The Chargers completed 11-6 in Jim Harbaugh’s first season as head coach, and GM Joe Hortiz has one other offseason to enhance the roster. Count on the Bolts to be even higher in Harbaugh’s second season with the group.
Sean Payton had the Denver Broncos within the playoffs in his second season on the helm. The offensive guru will get a full offseason to tweak his offensive system beneath second-year quarterback Bo Nix. The Broncos must also be higher in 2025.
In hiring the ageless Pete Carroll, the Raiders now have a head coach who gained a Tremendous Bowl and is aware of tips on how to construct a crew. Las Vegas traded for a reliable quarterback in Geno Smith and signed star edge rusher Maxx Crosby to high-dollar extension because the protection’s foundational piece. Issues are lastly beginning to lookup for the Raiders.
Which may not be the case for the Chiefs in 2025.
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